psych
1 of 3verb
ˈsīk 
variants or less commonly psyche
psyched; psyching
transitive verb
1
: psychoanalyze
2
a
: to anticipate correctly the intentions or actions of : outguess
b
: to analyze or figure out (something, such as a problem or course of action)
I psyched it all out by myself and decided
David Hulburd
David Hulburd3
a
: to make psychologically uneasy : intimidate, scare
pressure doesn't psych me Jerry Quarry
—often used with out Jerry Quarry has a way of psyching out the competition
b
: to make (someone, such as oneself) psychologically ready especially for performance —often used with up
psyched herself up for the race
psych
2 of 3abbreviation
psychology
psych-
3 of 3combining form
variants or psycho-
1
: mind : mental processes and activities
psychodynamic
psychology
2
: psychological methods
psychoanalysis
psychotherapy
3
: brain
psychosurgery
4
: mental and
psychosomatic
Synonyms
Verb
- brace
- forearm
- fortify
- nerve
- poise
- ready
- steel
- strengthen
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb He was trying to psych himself before the race.
Recent Examples on the Web Spin Staff, SPIN, 7 June 2022 From hotline to psych hospital, the focus is on risk management. New York Times, 17 May 2022 There's no real preparation to like pump myself up or psych myself out for those kind of scenes. Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2022 In previous seasons with this exact scenario, T.J. will call the players down to psych them out before saying the elimination is canceled. Kyndall Cunningham, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2021 Dane paces back and forth, trying to psych himself up to pick up the sword — which Marvel comics fans know will bestow him with great power and long life, but at the cost of Dane’s eroding sanity and innate goodness. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 5 Nov. 2021 However, King said her efforts to psych out her opponents don’t impact her own performances. Michelle R. Martinelli, The Indianapolis Star, 20 July 2021 Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista also spoofed the incident, taking a minute to psych himself up like a boxer preparing for battle before ultimately finding the courage to take a one-handed sip. Mike Miller, EW.com, 22 June 2020 Later at Big Cat Rescue, she was psyched there was a snow leopard at that sanctuary. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 17 Apr. 2020 See More
Verb
Backing him up is some truly energizing post-hardcore, which emulates the melodic heaviness of ‘90s greats like Helmet or Quicksand — and will psych you up for a stagedive like little else this year. Spin Staff, SPIN, 7 June 2022 From hotline to psych hospital, the focus is on risk management. New York Times, 17 May 2022 There's no real preparation to like pump myself up or psych myself out for those kind of scenes. Bella Cacciatore, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2022 In previous seasons with this exact scenario, T.J. will call the players down to psych them out before saying the elimination is canceled. Kyndall Cunningham, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2021 Dane paces back and forth, trying to psych himself up to pick up the sword — which Marvel comics fans know will bestow him with great power and long life, but at the cost of Dane’s eroding sanity and innate goodness. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 5 Nov. 2021 However, King said her efforts to psych out her opponents don’t impact her own performances. Michelle R. Martinelli, The Indianapolis Star, 20 July 2021 Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista also spoofed the incident, taking a minute to psych himself up like a boxer preparing for battle before ultimately finding the courage to take a one-handed sip. Mike Miller, EW.com, 22 June 2020 Later at Big Cat Rescue, she was psyched there was a snow leopard at that sanctuary. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 17 Apr. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
by shortening
Combining form
Greek, from psychē breath, principle of life, life, soul, from psychein to breathe; akin to Sanskrit babhasti he blows
First Known Use
Verb
1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing psych
Medical Definition
psych
abbreviation
psychology